Axial swage tool

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an axial swage tool configured to axially swage a fitting to a tube, a cable, or other such item of manufacture. The swage tool can be configured to utilize swaging engagement members for grasping and driving a swaging ring over a fitting. The swaging ring thereby radially compresses the fitting around the tube or other item.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a domestic priority claim isidentified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57 and made apart of this specification.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to tools for use in swaging and, moreparticularly, to a swaging tool for swaging axially swaged fittings.

Description of the Related Art

Swaged fittings have been used for many years to connect tubes and pipesin various types of systems, including fluid systems used in theaircraft, marine, petroleum and chemical industries, as well as powertransmission systems and the like. In a typical fluid system, the endsof two tubes are inserted into opposing ends of a fitting, each of whichis usually in the form of a cylindrical sleeve or other type of fittingbody. The fitting is then swaged with a swaging tool to produce afluid-tight connection placing the tubes in fluid communication. Thisswaging operation is normally carried out by applying a radial forcethat radially compresses the fitting and tubing inwardly. This radialforce may be applied directly by the swaging tool or indirectly by aspecially shaped ring that is moved axially by the swaging tool to applya radial force to the fitting. These fittings are referred to as axiallyswaged fittings.

Generally axially swaged fittings comprise a cylindrical body havingopenings at opposite ends for receiving the ends of two tubes, with aswaging ring at each end of the body. The outer surface of the body andthe inner surface of the swaging ring contact each other, being shapedsuch that axial movement of the swaging ring over the body applies aradial force to the body and, thus, to the tubes.

SUMMARY

Swage tools with complex designs can include many moving components,which are subject to wear. In such tools, each component contributes totolerance buildup, and each area of contact between moving parts issubject to wear. Additional wear results in increased costs, replacementof parts, and decreased performance over the life of the tool.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a compact swaging tool, for swagingaxially swaged fittings, that has few moving parts, is lighter inweight, and/or more reliable than prior swaging tools. In variousembodiments, the present disclosure provides embodiments of a swage toolthat satisfies some or all of these and other needs, and providesfurther related advantages.

In an illustrative embodiment, the swaging tool includes a housingconfigured for a first swaging engagement member (e.g., a jaw unithaving a yoke). A movable jaw is configured to translate within thehousing, the movable jaw being configured for a second swagingengagement member. A piston is configured to drive the movable jaw suchthat the second engagement member moves toward the first engagementmember.

The swaging tool can include substantially fewer parts than many priorart tools, and more particularly, can include fewer moving parts.Advantageously, in some embodiments, the smaller number and simplearrangement of the parts can limit the tolerance build-up, which canotherwise require custom machining during manufacture to achieveacceptable tolerances. Furthermore, the design can limit bearing loadsfrom being distributed in an uneven fashion, which can cause excessivewear.

The axial swage tool can include a spring compressed between a stopplate and the movable jaw. The movable jaw can be compressively heldbetween the spring and the stop plate. The movable jaw can becompressively biased to be stationary, with respect to the housing, bythe spring. The spring can become further compressed by the piston whendriving the movable jaw axially through the chamber of the housing. Thespring can provide for the tool to be self-resetting.

The present disclosure provides embodiments of an axial swage toolincluding a movable jaw unit that is in direct contact with a pistonduring a swaging operation. Advantageously, the axial swage tool canhave no bearings, no stabilizing pin, and no piston rod. The design ofthe tool, with the features described below, contributes to a swage toolthat can be generally compact, lightweight, and simple. Furthermore, theswage tool of the present disclosure can be generally robust, simple tooperate, reliable in use, and relatively low in maintenance.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of theinvention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and thedescriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to bein any sense limiting.

The term “comprising” is used in the specification and claims, means“consisting at least in part of.” When interpreting a statement in thisspecification and claims that includes “comprising,” features other thanthat or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related termssuch as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the samemanner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicatecorrespondence between referenced elements. The drawings are provided toillustrate embodiments of the inventive subject matter described hereinand not to limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an axial swage tool.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, side view of the embodiment of the axialswage tool of FIG. 1, depicting the swage tool in a relaxedconfiguration.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view, depicting the swage tool of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the axial swage toolof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional, side view of the axial swage tool of FIG.1 depicted in a relaxed configuration.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional, side view of the axial swage tool of FIG.1 depicted in an actuated configuration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an axial swagetool.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of the axial swage tool of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of port separation between paralleltubing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an axial swage toolconfigured to axially swage a fitting to a tube, a cable, or other suchitem of manufacture. The swage tool can be configured to utilize swagingengagement members for grasping and driving a swaging ring over afitting. The swaging ring thereby radially compresses the fitting aroundthe tube or other item.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of an axial swage tool 100 isillustrated. The axial swage tool 100 includes a housing 102 having aninner surface 104 that forms a chamber 106. The chamber 106 can have alongitudinal axis 108, also referred to as a chamber axis. The housing102 includes a fixed jaw unit 110, also referred to as a swagingengagement member. In some embodiments, the jaw unit 110 can be formedinto the housing 102. The swage tool 100 also includes a movable jaw 150having a first portion 151, also referred to as the chamber portion, anda second portion 160, also referred to as the movable jaw unit orswaging engagement member. The fixed jaw unit 110 and the movable jawunit 160 include yokes that are configured to axially swage a fittingwhen the chamber portion 151 slides within the chamber 106 such that themovable jaw unit 160 moves toward the fixed jaw unit 110. The yokes ofthe jaw units are configured to hold a swage fitting 200 and a fittingsleeve, also referred to as a fitting body 210 in order to axially swagea fitting (as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B). The tool 100 can furthercomprise a seal 130, a piston 140, a fastener 132, a spring 134, a stopplate 136, and a retaining ring 138.

Housing

The housing 102 has an outer surface 118, and an inner surface 104 thatforms the chamber 106. The inner surface 104 and chamber 106 can besubstantially cylindrical. In some embodiments, the chamber 106 can be adifferent cross-sectional shape, such as oblong. A first end 120 of thehousing 102 defines a chamber opening that preferably is (or isapproximately) the same size and shape of the chamber 106. For example,first end 120 can have the same diameter as the inner surface 104.Towards the first end, an annular slot or groove 122 can be formed inthe inner surface 104. The annular groove can have a greater diameterthan the inner surface and can be sized and shaped to receive aretaining ring 138. A second end 124 of the housing is closed except fora port 126 configured for attaching a fluid source, such as a hydraulicfluid source. In some embodiments, a tube having a threaded housingconnection can be coupled to the port 126 and a fluid source can becoupled to a fluid source connection on the other end, such as aquick-release connection.

The first end 120 of the housing 102 can include the fixed jaw unit 110,which can include structural reinforcement flanges 112, a yoke 114, andball detents 116. The housing jaw unit 110 can be substantiallyU-shaped, with yoke surfaces facing in a longitudinal direction, such asparallel to the chamber axis, and configured to provide a support for abody 210 or swaging ring 200 during the swaging process. For example,the body 210 can be positioned in the yoke 114 and the swaging ring 200can be moved axially towards the body 210. The ball detents 116 can bepositioned at opposite sides of the yoke 114. The ball detents 116 canprovide an indication of a proper fit of the body 210 in the yoke 114.For example, the ball detents 116 can be positioned to ensure that body210 is properly positioned within the yoke 114. The proper positioningof the body 210 can prevent misuse and prevent damage to the tool duringoperation, such as damage to the flanges, yoke, body, swaging ring, orother part of the tool.

The housing 102 can have an approximately rectangular cutout 128 (asseen in FIG. 3) in a mid-portion of the housing 102 that permits radialaccess to the internal chamber 106. Preferably, the width of the cutout128 is only as wide as is necessary to position the movable jaw 150within the chamber 106, and the length of the cutout is only as long asis necessary to permit a complete swaging operation. For example, thecutout is long enough to permit the movable jaw 150 to travel from itsrelaxed-tool position to a fully actuated position, which completes afull swaging operation. In some embodiments, the width of the cutout 128can be configured to match the width of the movable jaw 150 so that themovable jaw 150 moves axially without rotating. For example, in oneembodiment, the differences in widths between the movable jaw 150 andthe cutout 128 can be less than or equal to 0.005 inches, less than orequal to 0.002 inches, less than or equal to 0.001 inches, between 0.001and 0.005 inches, between 0.002 inches and 0.005 inches, or anothervariation of the measurements.

Movable Jaw

The movable jaw 150 has a first portion 151, also referred to as achamber portion, and a second portion 160, also referred to as a movablejaw unit or swaging engagement member. The chamber portion 151 isconfigured to be positioned within the chamber 106 of the housing 102.The chamber portion 151 has an outer surface 152. The curvature of theouter surface 152 is configured to match the curvature of the innersurface 104 of the chamber 106. In some embodiments, at least a portionof the outer surface 152 may be cylindrical. In some embodiments, theouter surface may be a different shape (e.g., cylindrical with a flatportion, oblong, or another shape). The outer surface 152 is configuredto be shaped to be translatable within the chamber 106. The outersurface 152 can be sized within a defined tolerance of the inner surface104 such that the movable jaw is translatable within the chamber withoutundesirable angular movement during operation of the tool. Thedifference in measurements (e.g., diameters) can form a gap 109 (notperceptible in the figures) between the outer surface 152 and the innersurface 104. The gap can be defined by a measurement (e.g., a radialdimension, a diameter, a linear measurement, and the like) between theouter surface 152 and inner surface 104. For example, in one embodiment,the differences in measurements (e.g., diameters) of the outer surface152 and inner surface 104 can be less than or equal to 0.005 inches,less than or equal to 0.002 inches, less than or equal to 0.001 inches,between 0.001 and 0.005 inches, between 0.002 inches and 0.005 inches,or another variation of the measurements. The chamber portion 151 has afirst inner surface 154 and a second inner surface 156 forming athrough-hole. The first and second inner surfaces can be concentric. Aspring engagement surface 157 can be substantially perpendicular to thefirst and second inner surfaces. The spring engagement surface 157 canextend between the first and second inner surfaces 154 and 156. Thefirst and second inner surfaces can define a chamber portion axis 158that is configured to align with the chamber axis 108 as the movable jaw150 moves axially within the housing 102. A piston engagement surface153 protrudes from a first face 155 of the chamber portion 151. Thepiston engagement surface 153 can be parallel to the spring engagementsurface 157. The piston engagement surface 153 can be sized and shapedto fit within the recess 146 of the piston 140.

The jaw unit portion 160 of the movable jaw can include structuralreinforcement flanges 162, a yoke 164, and ball detents 166. The movablejaw unit 160 can be substantially U-shaped, with yoke surfaces facing ina longitudinal direction, such as parallel to the chamber axis, andconfigured to provide a support for a fitting body 210 or swaging ring200 during the swaging process. For example, the fitting body 210 can bepositioned in the yoke 164 and the swaging ring 200 can be moved axiallytowards the fitting body. The ball detents 166 can be positioned atopposite sides of the yoke 164. The ball detents 166 can provide anindication of a proper fit of the swaging body in the yoke 164. Forexample, the ball detents 166 can be positioned to ensure that swagingbody are properly positioned within the yoke 164. The proper positioningof the swaging ring or sleeve can prevent misuse and prevent damage tothe tool during operation, such as damage to the flanges, yoke, sleeve,swaging ring, or other part of the tool.

The housing jaw unit 110 defines a housing jaw axis and the movable jawunit 160 defines a movable jaw axis. These axes align to form a swageaxis 170 when the movable jaw axis 158 is aligned with the chamber axis108. The fixed jaw unit 110 provided on the housing 102 and the movablejaw unit 160 are configured to move a swaging ring 200 over a fittingbody 210, along the swage axis 170, to swage the fitting to a tube orother item.

Piston

The piston 140 can be configured to be positioned in the second end 124of the housing 102. An outer surface 142 of the piston 140 can be thesame shape as the chamber 106, such as cylindrical. The outer surface142 of the piston 140 can be sized and shaped, or otherwise configuredsuch that the piston 140 can move axially within the housing chamber 106(e.g., configured to slide along the chamber axis 108). The piston 140has a first, closed end 144 forming a head 143 that faces the second end124 of the housing 102. The diameter of the head 143 can be smaller thanthe diameter of the outer surface 142. The piston 140 also has a secondend 145 opposite the first end 144. The second end 145 has an axial bore147 (e.g., a cylindrical bore), with a counter-bored or recessed guidesurface 146. The bore 147 can be configured to receive a fastener 132(such as a screw) for securing the movable jaw 150 to the piston 140.The recessed guide surface 146 can be sized and shaped to receive thepiston engagement surface 153. The chamber portion 151 of the movablejaw 150 can be configured to mount directly to the piston 140, with thepiston engagement surface 153 being positioned adjacent the recessedguide surface 146. The face 155 of the chamber portion 151 can bepositioned adjacent the face of the second end 145 of the piston 140. Bydirectly mounting the movable jaw 150 to the piston, the number ofmoving parts on the tool 100 can be reduced. Additionally, the distancebetween the chamber axis 108 and the swage axis 170 can be reduced,thereby lowering the moment force generated on the movable jaw 150during swaging operations.

The outer surface 142 can be sized within a defined tolerance of theinner surface 104 such that the piston 140 is translatable within thechamber without undesirable angular movement during operation of thetool. The difference in sizes between the outer surface 152 and theinner surface 104 can form a gap 109 (not perceptible in the figures).The gap can be defined by a measurement value (e.g., a radial dimension,a diameter, a linear dimension, and the like) between the outer surface152 and inner surface 104. For example, in one embodiment, thedifferences in diameters of the outer surface 152 and inner surface 104can be less than or equal to 0.005 inches, less than or equal to 0.002inches, less than or equal to 0.001 inches, between 0.001 and 0.005inches, between 0.002 inches and 0.005 inches, or another variation ofthe measurements. The size and shape of the outer surface 142 isconfigured such that the tool can operate without bearings or a pistonrod extending axially through the chamber 106. The size and shapereduces rotation on the piston 140 and the movable jaw 150 which canresult in the piston 140 and/or movable jaw 150 jamming within thechamber. The length of the piston can also help to prevent angularrotation and increase stability during operation. In some embodiments, amajority of the length of the piston 140 remains in the chamber 106 anddoes not extend into the opening 128.

When pressurized fluid is introduced through the port 126, it actsagainst the head 144 of the piston 140, forcing the piston 140, andthereby directly forcing the movable jaw 150, toward the first end 120of the housing 102. The piston 140 is thus configured such that it cantranslate axially through the chamber 106 at the second end of thehousing 102, toward the first end 120 of the housing, driving themovable jaw 150 and one end of the spring 134 as it moves. Thistranslation toward the first end 120 of the housing 102 can be limitedby the depth of the chamber 106, the movable jaw's axial freedom ofmovement (such as from the fully compressed spring length, the cutoutlength, or limitations on the movement of the movable jaw 150).

Seal

A seal 130 can be configured to be positioned on the head 143 of thepiston 140. The seal 130 can be made of a durable material. When fluidis supplied to the housing chamber via the port 126 on the second end124 of the housing 102, the fluid is prevented from flowing between thepiston outer surface 142 and the housing inner surface 104 by the seal130. Thus, the piston 140, aided by the seal 130 and the second end 124of the housing 102 can form a hydraulic chamber and act as an actuatorfor the tool 100. In some embodiments, the seal can be a polyurethaneseal.

Spring Assembly

The piston 140 and movable jaw 150 can be held in position within thehousing 102 by the spring 134, stop plate 136, and retaining ring 138.The retaining ring 138 can be seated in the annular slot 122 formedtowards the first end 120 of the housing 102. A stop plate 136 can bepositioned adjacent the retaining ring. The stop plate 136 can besubstantially the same shape (e.g., diameter) as the inner surface 104of the chamber 106. A protrusion 137 can extend from the stop plate on aface opposite the retaining ring 138. The protrusion 137 can be sizedand shaped such that the spring 134 can be positioned around theprotrusion and adjacent a face of stop plate 136 opposite the retainingring 138. When assembled within the tool 100, the spring 134 extendsbetween the stop plate 136 and the spring engagement surface 157 of themovable jaw 150. The stop plate 136 and the spring engagement surface157 can be configured to receive opposite ends of the spring 134. Theprotrusion 137 and chamber portion 151 of the movable jaw 150 (such asthe depth of the inner surface 154) can be configured to provideadditional support to the spring 134 during operation of the tool 100such that the spring 134 compresses axially without lateral motion. Thepiston 140, movable jaw 150, and stop plate 136 can be held stationaryagainst the retaining ring 138 by the spring when the tool is in arelaxed position.

With the tool in a relaxed (e.g., not actuated) position (as depicted inFIG. 1), the spring 134 is in a relatively expanded position, pushingthe movable jaw 150 toward the second end 124 of the housing 102 againstthe piston 140. In some embodiments, when the tool 100 is in the relaxed(e.g., not actuated) position, the spring 134 can be continuallycompressed between the stop plate 136 and the movable jaw 150, with eachsurface acting as a stop for the spring. The piston 140 in turn pushesagainst the second end of the housing. The spring's compressive force ispushed against the stop plate 136, which is retained against theretaining ring 138. Rotation of the movable jaw 150 within the chamber106 can be restricted by the size and shape of the cutout 128.

Axial Swage Tool Assembly

In one embodiment, to assemble the axial swage tool 100, the seal 130,and the piston 140 are inserted into the chamber 106. The seal 130 ismounted on the piston head 153. The piston head 153 and the seal arepositioned facing the second end 124 of the housing 102. The seal and/orthe piston can be inserted through the housing cutout 128. The chamberportion 151 of the movable jaw 150 is positioned within chamber 106 viathe cutout 128. The piston engagement surface 153 of the movable jaw 150is positioned adjacent the recessed guide surface 146 of the piston 140.The face 155 of the chamber portion 151 can be positioned adjacent theface of the second end 145 of the piston 140. The movable jaw 150 issecured to the piston 140 using a fastener 132. The spring 134 is theninserted through the housing first end and the stop plate 136 isinserted against the spring. The retaining ring 287 is then snapped intothe annular slot 122 in the inner surface 104 of the chamber. Thecompressed spring biases the movable jaw and the piston away from thefirst end of the housing.

Swaging Operation

With specific reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an operator can swage oneside of a fitting by engaging a fitting body 210 with a first engagementmember. Such as, for example, engaging the fitting body 210 within theyoke 114 of the fixed jaw 110, which is stationary, to restrain the body210 from movement during swaging. The ball detents 116 can be used tosecure the body 210 in the correct position within the first engagementmember. The second engagement member, such as the movable jaw yoke 164,is then engaged with an outer surface of the swaging ring 200. Thefitting body 210 can be adapted for engaging either of the engagementmembers (e.g., fixed or movable jaws), so long as the swaging ring 200is adapted for the other engagement member. Preferably, both engagementmembers can receive both the fitting body 210 and swaging ring 200.

When pressure is supplied through the port 126, the piston 140, seal130, and movable jaw 150 are moved toward the first end 120 of thehousing 102, compressing the spring 134 and moving the swaging ring 200over the body 210, thereby swaging the body 210 to the tube 220. Morespecifically, supplying pressurized fluid into the chamber 106 from apressurized fluid source (for example, a source of oil at 10,000 psi)applies force axially on the piston 140, pushing it toward the first end120 of the housing 102. The piston 140 applies the axial force to themovable jaw 150, which in turn applies it to the spring 134. Thehydraulic force overcomes the axial spring compression force, and thepiston 140, seal 130, and movable jaw 150 translate axially through thehousing chamber 106 toward the first end 120 of the housing, compressingthe spring 134. Air that is within the chamber 106 of the piston whilethe tool is in the relaxed state is vented from the tool 100 duringactuation via the cutout 128. The movable jaw unit 160 moves toward thefixed jaw unit 110. When a fitting 210 and swaging ring 200 arepositioned in yokes of the jaw units during this translation, theswaging ring 200 is driven over the fitting 210, thus forming a swagedfitting on the tube 220 by the time the tool has reached a fullyactuated configuration (as depicted in FIG. 5B). The swaging operationis complete when the swaging ring 200 contacts the body 210. The tool isconfigured such that the movable jaw does not stop prior to thecompletion of the swaging operation. As can be seen there is a gap 180between the movable jaw 150 and face of the housing 102. There is a gap182 between the movable jaw 150 and the stop plate 136. The spring 134is not fully compressed. In this manner, the swaging operation cancomplete without encountering a stop that would prematurely stop theswaging operation resulting in an incomplete swage.

At the end of the swaging operation, the pressure source is relieved andthe spring force returns the movable jaw 150 and the piston 140 towardthe second end 124 of the housing, thereby separating the movable jawunit 160 from the housing jaw unit 110. When the compressed spring 134expands, the spring 136 applies force to the movable jaw 150. Themovable jaw transmits these forces to the piston 140, which forces thefluid from the chamber 106 and back down the tube. Air is allowed toreturn to the chamber 106 via the cutout 128 and the tool 100 returns tothe relaxed position (FIG. 5A) for the next swaging operation.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the swage tool 100′.The swage tool 100′ has modified structural reinforcement flanges 112′.In the illustrated embodiment, the modified flanges 112′ extend up tothe substantially the height of the movable jaw 150 and the fixed jaw110. The flanges 112′ extend the length of the operational movement ofthe movable jaw 150. The flanges 112′ can provide protection to theoperator during operation of the swage tool. The tool 100′ operates inaccordance with the description of the tool 100 described herein. Duringoperation, the flanges 112′ can prevent an operator from inadvertentlyplacing an appendage (e.g., a finger) or piece of equipment between themovable jaw 150 and the fixed yoke 110. Thereby protecting the operatorfrom harm and protecting the swage tool 100′ from being damaged.

FIG. 8 illustrates the port separation for properly swaging paralleltubing 210 and 220. The minimum difference between the parallel tubingis a requirement under the AS6124 standard for “Aluminum Axially swagedfittings Installation and inspection procedure.” The standard requiresthat a minimum port separation distance “M” is required between thefittings in order to engage a swage tool 200 on two parallel fittingswithout interference for proper swaging.

Recommended minimum port separation distance “M” for various sizecombinations of aluminum axial swaged fitting series (i.e. a −04 fittingnext to a −10 fitting) is given in the AS standard. In some embodimentsof the compact swage tool, the “M” value can be smaller than therecommended value in the AS standard. Desirably, when it comes togetting the tubes closer to each other, reducing the “M” value helpsfitting more tubes in a given space in an aircraft plumbing design.

The table below shows the range of values for fitting and tool of samesize combination. For some exemplary embodiments, the reduced “M” valuesas compared with the AS values are shown in the table.

Tube Size “M”-4 “M”-6 “M”-8 “M”-10 “M”-12 “M”-16  -4 0.554 AS6124-4 0.75 -6 0.665 AS6124-6 0.942  -8 0.782 AS6124-8 1.145 -10 0.951 AS6124-101.372 -12 1.137 AS6124-12 1.582 -16 1.412 AS6124-16 1.979

In the illustrated embodiments, the piston 140 and movable jaw 150 areheld substantially fixed and stationary within the housing 102 by theretaining ring 138 and the spring 134, the spring extending between thestop plate 136 and the movable jaw 150. The piston 140 and the movablejaw 150 are configured to translate axially along the axis 108 whenfluid is supplied to the housing chamber via the port 126 on the secondend 124 of the housing. No bearing is needed for the piston 140 andmovable jaw 150 to freely translate within the housing 102. The seal 130is configured to form a sealed chamber in the axial end of the housing102 opposite the retaining ring. The piston 140, the sealed chamber 106,and the source of pressurized fluid are thus configured to actuate themovable jaw axially within the chamber 106.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are characterized by substantiallyfewer parts than the previously described tool, and more particularly,fewer moving parts. The smaller number of parts likely reduces tolerancebuild-up, which can otherwise result in the movable jaw-yoke rotating toa less-than-preferred angle with respect to the housing-yoke.Furthermore, because the prior art bearing on the stabilizing pin had topass into portions of the housing having lobes that provide unevensupport (i.e., support around less than the full circumference), thatbearing was subject to wear at a rate greater than other parts. Theelimination of the stabilizing pin provides the piston-bearing with 360degree support, and thus tends to provide for a tool with preferableoverall durability.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the swaging tool of thepresent invention preferably provides a swaging tool of greatly reducedsize, weight and complexity, which typically results in a more reliableand less expensive swaging tool. The tool has few maintenancerequirements. These and other advantages give the swaging tool of thepresent invention unique advantages.

Although certain features, aspects and advantages of the presentdisclosure have been described in terms of a certain embodiments, otherembodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art also arewithin the scope of this invention. Thus, various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. For instance, various components may be repositioned asdesired. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects, and advantages arenecessarily required to practice the present invention. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is intended to be defined only by theclaims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A swaging tool for swaging, comprising: a housingcomprising: a chamber having a first end, a second end, an inner wall,and an axis extending through the chamber; and a fixed swagingengagement member; a movable swaging engagement member, a chamberportion of the movable swaging engagement member positioned within thechamber and translatable along the axis; a piston positioned within thechamber at the second end, the piston secured to the chamber portion ofthe movable swaging engagement member, the piston translatable along theaxis, wherein there is a gap formed between an outer wall of the pistonand the inner wall of the chamber, and an actuator configured to drivethe piston along the axis through the chamber of the housing from thesecond end to the first end such that the movable swaging engagementmember moves toward the fixed engagement member.
 2. The swaging tool ofclaim 1, wherein the fixed swaging engagement member further comprises aplurality of detents configured to secure a fitting body in position. 3.The swaging tool of claim 1, wherein movable swaging engagement memberfurther comprises a plurality of detents configured to secure a fittingbody in position.
 4. The swaging tool of claim 1, and further comprisinga spring compressed between a stop plate and the chamber portion of themovable swaging engagement member, wherein the movable swagingengagement member is compressively held between the spring and thepiston, and the spring becomes further compressed by the piston drivingthe movable swaging engagement member axially toward the first end,wherein the spring is configured to automatically retract the movableswaging engagement member after operation of the swaging tool.
 5. Theswaging tool of claim 1, wherein the chamber is cylindrical.
 6. Theswaging tool of claim 1, wherein the movable swaging engagement memberand piston are configured to move along the axis without bearings. 7.The swaging tool of claim 1, wherein the movable swaging engagementmember and piston are configured to move along the axis without a pistonrod extending axially through the chamber.
 8. The swaging tool of claim1, wherein the gap is less than or equal to 0.005 inches.
 9. The swagingtool of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises flanges thatextend at least a portion of the housing from the fixed swagingengagement member to the unactuated position of the movable swagingengagement member.
 10. A method of axially swaging a ring onto afitting, comprising: providing the swaging tool of claim 1; positioningthe ring on a first member selected from the fixed swaging engagementmember and the movable swaging engagement member; positioning thefitting on a second member, the second member different from the firstmember; and actuating the actuator such that the movable engagementmember moves toward the fixed engagement member to swage the ring on thefitting.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein positioning the ring furthercomprises securing the ring to the first member using a plurality ofdetents disposed on the first member and securing the fitting on thesecond member using a plurality of detents disposed on the secondmember.
 12. A swaging system for joining a member, the swaging systemcomprising: the swaging tool of claim 1; a fitting having a first bodyconfigured for receiving the first member; and a ring configured foraxial movement over the body to swage the body to the member; whereineach swaging engagement member is configured to engage at least onedistinct member the group of the fitting and the ring.